Meet the Player – Jonny Taylor (Llay Welfare)
With 30 club goals for Llay Miners Welfare already this season Jonny Taylor is in scintillating form.
The former Wrexham AFC striker, who has played in Europe for Cefn Druids, spoke to Grassroots North Wales about his career.
Full Name
Jonathon Taylor (JT)
Date of Birth
12/5/1989
Occupation
Plasterer
Teams you have played for
Wrexham, Burnley, Shrewsbury Town, Bradford Park Avenue, Flint Town United, Buckley Town, Mold Alexandra, Gresford Athletic, Cefn Druids, Llay Welfare
Position
Centre Forward
Most memorable game played in
Would have to be the away leg in the Europa League for Cefn Druids v FK Trakai (July 5, 2018) Druids drew 1-1 at home and lost 1-0 in Lithuania. Jonny came on as a second half substitute in Trakai.
Biggest highlight of football career so far
Representing Wales at under-15 and U16 level
Best goal scored
Wouldn’t say it’s my best but my most meaningful would have to be my header against Ireland in Dublin
Strengths to your game
Holding the ball up and goal scoring
Weaknesses
I’d have to say my weakness is my pace now I’m at this age and I pick up 1 or 2 too many yellows
Best team-mate played alongside
Neil Ashton
Hardest opponent faced
Micah Richards or Diniyar Bilyaletdinov (FK Trakai)
Biggest influence in football
Niall Quinn
Funniest team-mate
Just because of how funny he is drunk which doesn’t take a lot, I’d have to say Naim Arsan
Favourite away ground
Caernarfon. Great set up there and a great support. Cracking club
Tell us what it was like playing for Cefn Druids in Europe
Playing in the Europa League was an unbelievable experience, it’s something that will stay with me forever and can’t be taken away.
Dream of it growing up, but never think it will happen.
We had a great season that year at Druids under Huw Griffiths, he brought in some class lads from all over and there were 4/5 of us local lads to which it probably meant that bit more to actually qualify for such a stage with a team in your home town.
We went 1-0 up in the home leg through James Davies who just couldn’t stop scoring at the time and it was an amazing feeling to be leading the tie.
We drew that night 1-1 and to still be in the tie travelling to Lithuania was awesome and we went out there and believed we could do a job.
We lost 1-0 out there through a penalty scored by Diniyar Bilyaletdinov who by the way was untouchable!
He played for Everton in the Premier League and Russia so that’s the type of quality we were up against and were unlucky to lose the tie 2-1 on aggregate in my opinion. Massive crowd out there and a good number travelling over for Druids too. It was a fantastic experience.
How do you see Llay Welfare’s prospects for the rest of the season?
If I’m honest we lost the first 3 in the league (tier 3 Ardal North West) this season.
All ifs and buts I know but if we hadn’t dropped them points there I believe we go on to win the league or definitely challenge!
We’ve got a great young side here and back at the club that means so much to me with it being my home village. I do believe that we can have a great end to the season and top 4 is a realistic aim now for sure.
Do you think Wrexham can win promotion this season?
Pffttt!! Head saying one thing and my heart another!
I’m a massive Wrexham fan, it’s the club I’ve grown up watching and the club I support and love. I’d like to think we can bring one or two in in January and go win it.
I personally think with the money we’ve spent and lads we’ve brought in we should be winning it. I’m going to say YES we will win the league!!!
What are your remaining football ambitions?
Probably got 6/7 years left playing if I’m lucky! Winning a trophy at Llay will be a great way to go out for me.
RANDOM QUESTIONS
Best country visited
Dubai
Favourite chocolate bar
Boost
Best after-match venue
The Welly
Best film seen
The Business
Favourite song
Live Forever – Oasis
Favourite TV show
Gogglebox
TV show you dislike most
Any soaps
Best quality as a person
Humour
Worst fault
Laziness
Best live show/concert seen
Stone Roses
Tell us something about you we might not know
I was an holiday rep for 7 summers